The Portland daily press., 1887-10-27

Insolvency but made it the basis of his own life
long prosperity and the source of his ample be
The same qualities which made him successful
In business, carried him into public life and Sc
cured him equal respect and influence there. His
SOUND Judgment, fidelity 10 duty, scrupulOus III
tegrlty and Christian principle, made him sought
after for public Ofhces and corporate trusts, as
few men are. He had been member Of the
state Senate, and of the House Of Representa-
lives, ana when we were in the midst VI the Civil
war, and strong and reliable men were needed In
Congress, lie was sent to the House Of Represen-
tatiyes without opposition receiving what was
almost unprecedented In politics. the unanimous
vote OF his district. He was kept there for ten
years Dy successive elections where bis ability
and sterling integrity soon placed him upon The
important Committee of Claims, and also Of Teyo-
lutionary pensions and where he remained until
he was called home to become the Governor Of the
Commonwealth. This Office he held until he was
sent TO the United States Senate TO succeed Seua-
tor sumner and here his well known services In
the House secured him at once an honorable posi-
ton which was well maintained by his valuable
services and noble character. Indeed, the best
tribute to his worth was, that when he retired
from public life, he had received, unsolicited
every public honor which 1t was In the power Of
his constituents 10 bestOw.
The same was also true of his appointment to
the management of so many business corpora
tons, educational institutions, trust funds, mis-
siOnary associations, benevolent and Christian
societies. III was the President of the First Nat
i0nal Bank Of Greenfield, director Of the Con-
necticut River Railroad Company. one OF the Cor
Agricultural College, of Smith College, OF Mr..
MOOdys School at Mt. Hermon, a corporate mem
President of this American Missionary Association,
a pillar in the Second Congregational Church Of
Greenfield and the first president and vigorous
supporter of the Connecticut Valley CongTega-
tional Club. The wonder was, how he could take
upon himself so many trusts, when with, his ideas
Of duty they must each receive his careful atten-
fion and he must hold himself personally respOn
sible for their best management.
Fidelity TO his trusts was one of his most marked
characteristics and in this respect he possessei
the spirit of his Lord, "whO was faithful to Him
that appointed him." and as Moses was "faith-
full in all his house." so our friend pos
sessed this browning virtue OF noble and useful
Ii has been Justly said Of him that without
unusual intellectual gifts or endowments, he bad
what was better than talents, namely virtues. He
had strong common sense, honesty and singleness
of purpose patriotic devotion TO the welfare OF his
State and nation aud under the lead OF these prin-
cipleS he rose from commonplace circumstances
TO serve his State with credit In high, honorable
and responsible p0SltionSj the highest indeed,
within the gift OF his native State. TO all his
services of civic nature, he added fine phian-
thropic endeayor and an obedience TO the Chris
tan principle ofl0ve toward his fe0w-men, which
ennObled his career above its political character"
DIR. johnson has said Of Cowley, one of the old
English poets, whose devotion TO his art seemed
TO have been determined by little circumstance
in his childhood, -"Such are the accidents, which
sometimes remembered, and perhaps oftener for
gotten produce that particular designation OF
mind and propensity for some certain SCIENCE or
employment, which is commonly called genius.
The true genius is a mind OF large general powers
accidentally determined TO some particular dlrec-
tion."-0ur friend certainly had genius for do
ing faithful and useful work. How 1t originated
and how his natural abilities were determined TO
this particular direction, as Conveys were by the
volume Of Sponsors Fairy Queen which the poet )
mother always kept upon her window-sill ana
which seemed to have inspired her child with MS
lave Of poetry,-whether IN the case OF Governor
her, from which she taught him TO fear COD and
keep his commandments" as the whole duty Of
man, or read to him the story Of Joseph, that
faultless and faithful character whose highest
promotion was due to these very qualities,-no
matter how or when he received such impressions;
abed to adhere steadfastly to such principles and
carry them out in his own life. Some such infiu-
ences must have reached him and it was more
that an accidental Divine Providence rather
that subjected him TO them and thus prepared
him for the important positions he was called to
NIL.
1t is true that many have excelled him in partic-
ular abilities especially in those that are most
striking and Brilliant such as poetic sense and
successful oratory, which are most frequently de-
nominated genius. But these have often been
combined with defects Of judgment, or temper, or
principle, so that their influence has been sadly
marred or used for mischief. As in our civil war
it was not every eloquent orator or able editor
who was the best adviser or steadiest supporter
Of the policy that preserved the union: but some
Of them would have let the nation be divided or
compromised the questions at issue, only TO be re-
opened without hope OF right settlement. But
here was man for all times and all places. In
the halls of legislation, in the Governors chair,
before board of selectmen, arranging bounties
for volunteers and for the support OF their fami-
lies, or among his ewn workmen. advising them
as to what they might or might not properly
do in such criss,-he 10 the same wise coun-
sellor and faithful helper everywhere, doing the
work assigned to him as well, II not better than
most poets or orators. And when war was over,
and such work no longer needed when peace was
TO be restored and amcablc relations cultivated
between those who had been deadly foes; when
business prosperity was to be brought about again
ana banks were to be well managed, and trust
funds made secure, and the increasing wealth and
enterprise OF the country to be turned into beney-
olent and Christian channels, here he found his
helds OF delight, and his abilities and character
shone out in new beauty and strength. Here was
Gov WashburneS real geniuS-the completeness
and best use OF all his abilities, combined with
principles that directed them all TO the noblest
ends.
This seems to be the divine method Of training
men for their best work. They are placed in sta
lions of responsibility, which they are not proper
ly qualified to fill but if they are conscientious
and faithful, and especially where they put them
selves under divine guidance and are controlled
by religious motiyeS-the most powerful OF all
they become qualified for almost any station in
life and for the highest and most responsible du-
ties.
1t was in this way that our friend secured his
best development. The great secret of it was his
piety. lie was taught Of God. He was trained in
the school of Christ. He was devoted to the Sa-
viour's cause. In his own estimation, he was not
his own, but belonged to Him who had redeemed
him at such cost. All that he was and all that he
possessed and all that he was capable OF becom.
ing were the Lords. His talents were his trust
70 be improved for his Master, like his property,
His Intelligence, his sound judgment, his capacity
for business were cultivated for Christian use
When they brought him honor and position he
was not elated by them. Position was only anotb.
er name for opportunity and influence, which
brought with them increased responsibilities
Honors only sobered him and made him pray to
God that he might prove worthy of them. I'm the
spirit also of his Master, who came to '.seek and
to save that which was lost" he would bless and
benefit all for whom Christ died He was not only
DESTROYS Of dealing justly with his fellow men, but
he must do them good as he had opportunity, and
to all men, Negroes, Indians, Chinese, as well as
to his own conntrymen. He sought to secure wise
legislation for them and faithful administratio on
OF the government. He would educate the ignO-
rant, reform the vicious and remove the disabili-
ties under winch so many labor. He would i'm.
prove their worldly condition and make his bust
ness profitable to those In his employ well as 10
himself But above all he would bless men spirit
ually and eternally with the blessings which only
the gospel OF Christ can bestow. This was the
secret Of his interest in your work and in all kin
dred works and in everything that could improve
the character and condition of men, This Is the
reason that he devoted time and thought and as
sistance TO so many Christian and philanthropic
enterprises which are accomplishing these OBJ
jects. This is why he gave to this Association so
much OF his attention and best council his gener-
GUS contributions and teryent prayers, and why
societies. As an association we owe too much to
our late President and devoted friend not 10 make
mention OF his many and invaluable services, and
always hold in loving and grateful remembrance
the name OF William Barrett Washburn Few
causes have such helpers, and not often are better
miss him in eur deliberations, while we need more
than ever, as our fields for Christian enterprise
are enlarging, his sound judgment, untiring ener-
gy and steadfast Christian faith. When such men
as Governor Washburn. Alpheus Hardy and
President Hopkins are taken from us. we can
only pray that He who has the whole work in
charge will inspire others with similar devotion
and bestow upon US all more of his grace and
blessing.
The circumstances of Governor washburn',
death were peculiar and startling to those about
him, though not wholly unexpected to his family
1t was known TO them that he had a serious afec-
tion Of the heart, but they were encouraged to
hope that by care, and the avoidance Of all undue
able health for some years. The merning meet
ing OF the Board found him little lat q from the
cars, and climbing the stairs to the hail. he had
scarcely seated himself upon the platform, and
spoken TO his friends about him, when he fell for
ward unconscious into their arms; and though 1
physician was Immediately at his side, and hii
wife soon there also, there was no return of con.
seriousness, and almost as quickly as the scene
can be described, he had left us, ana his spirit
had gone home TO God. A sudden departure and
a startling enc to those Of us who were trying Il
detain him; but his Lord called him and he mus
have said
81 hear a voice We cannot hear
That says must not stay;
l see hand ye cannot see
That beckons me away"
Aswc saw the light Of life fade out from that
Denignant face, as when the glory OF the day be
comes the gloom of the night, we heard Ii eominL
down out OF Heaven, He that believeth in me
though he were dead, yet shall he live; and who
soever lveth and believeth in me shall never die
WtAA